Food Addiction 1 2

Second Post of today

Obesity is a physical problem caused by overeating. Overeating is caused by a environmental, physical, habitual, chemical or mental issue that drives us to eat. If we can define and remove the causes, the problem should become much smaller. First, we must identify the causes, remove the cause and/or devise solutions, where we are unable to remove the cause.

To start, we can divide the causes into four big groups of issues; your problem may be one, some or all of these. Physical group of  issues, that is body function including: hyperinsulinemia, leptin issues, adrenalin issues and the like. We  can have the Normal Overeaters where food, portion control, eating environment,eating times and the like are out of line with our needs. Next there are the Maladaptive Behaviors including eating disorders, emotional eaters, control frustration eaters, boredom eaters, stress eaters, relaxation eaters, isolation eaters, whatever,  where we need to look at the situation and organism response. Finally Food Addiction, where there is a chemical issue, either endo, from inside or exo, from outside the organism. It may be easier to detach from ourselves and look at ourselves as an organisms, and consider ourselves as stewards of this organism. To split ourselves in two, based on the function. This body mind separation is useful for a number of functions.

Normal Overeaters likely make up the largest percent of the overweight population, but few are  grossly obese. Maladaptive behaviors are the next largest group and frequently are the cause of food addiction. Food addicts and people with causal physical issues are likely the smallest portion of the general population; however, one type of hunger is caused by food induced hyperinsulinemia aka insulin resistance, and can be treated with the typical food addiction food plan; elimination of sugar, grains, fruits, acellular carbohydrates in general. Food addiction is often secondary issue developed as a result of maladaptive overeating, but must be treated first.

The start of treatment is to put oneself on a food elimination addiction diet, (put the plug in the jug) and then identify the emotions, feeling, behaviors, issues that arise. Withdrawal (physical discomfort may require weening off acellular carbohydrate), cravings, desires, hallucinations, vivid dreams etc. may be experienced.  We need to first recognize that it will not be one issue, but many. It is like pulling on a spaghetti in a dish of long spaghetti threads; we just do not know where it will lead.  After we get one out and straight, there will be another, and another, until we are returned or cured. After the first few issues, the process becomes easier and less painful, more satisfying.

Temptations 1   3

Temptations are one of the first things we need to deal with. If we were putting a lab animal on a diet, it does happen, we would not leave extra food in their reach, nor would we leave food in their sight, or smell range. That would be torture. With the idea of stewardship, why do you do it to yourselves?
Are you using the excuse of 'for others'? Brutal honesty is a principle of the program. Are you being honest with yourself? Are you being fair with yourself? Are you being just with yourself?

Next, we must not permit others to do the same to us, that is lead us into temptation. That is a tough one, and may require isolation, separation, insistence, whatever for a bit of time until your temptation issue is relieved by various methods. If others are not willing to cooperate with you for what you need, they do not have your best interests at heart; therefore, a tough decision may be required. This really shows up when two or more food addicts are living together, and one chooses to go into recovery or action stage. Food addicts need not be overweight. Food addiction is being unwilling to give up a food item(s) that give others problems. A private stash lock box or private cupboard for the active addict may be required. You may need to name them as an active addict, along with yourself. Hopefully, soon, you can call yourself an addict in recovery. 

These age pig problems, problems of immediate gratifications. These also may include priming or cueing where a smell of sight causes the desire for some of a forbidden substance, in essence, a slow acting poison. These things become not real proper human food . They may be suitable to prevent starvation, after weeks or months of no food, but not suitable for normal human food.

But what do I know?